I have had this affinity with the Bohoras since my
childhood days. From my experience they form undoubtedly the most cordial
people. It is their innate quality that has a lot to do with their devout and
mindful upbringing. They are an exceptional and exclusive class of noble people
who definitely are a great exemplar to others.

The Bohoras value their traditions immensely and
strictly adhere to discipline. Whether a feast or a funeral, all their occasions
are sacramental purity. Such etiquettes emanate not out of nothing but call for
solid background.

When it comes to humour one has just to admire their
facetiousness, and the best time to elicit this humour is of course during a
cricket match for the Bohoras love cricket, whether at local level or
international level.

Their cricket team, Burhani Sports Club, is one of the
finest local teams with such stalwarts as Kutbuddin Dossaji, Iqbal Amijee, Ilyas
Abdulla, Salim Nurdin and Zulfikar Adamji. For that matter the Bohoras have
always produced great cricketers, the likes of Abdulkader Makra, KTKarim, the Sulemanji brothers and Mohamedhusain Wallijee, and from
Zanzibar Ibrahim Abdulhusain, Tayabali Goribai, Mansoor Karimjee, Ibrahim
Karachiwala and Abitalib who all form part of nostalgia now.

Adam’s cricketing career lasted for a long period
stretching from 1961 to 1987. He was an elegant and stylish cricketer, a classic
back footed batsman who represented the National side many a times. Adam
recorded many memorable knocks. His superb century in 1964 against Agakhan
School after his side Young Challengers was trailing at 15 for 5 still gets
talked about.

Adam hit another century against YMCA in 1979. In 1975
playing for Tanzania against Zambia in the Quadrangular at Kampala he won the
best batsman award. Incidentally he also held 5 catches in that match. In 1978
he captained Burhani Stars and won the inaugural KJ Cup.

Adam later developed into a fast bowler opening the
attack for Burhani. As a bowler he shall always be remembered for his fiery
bouncers. Once he bowled out the formidable Union Sports Club for mere 101 runs
and provided Burhani with a convincing win.

Adam Akberali

Almost retired from cricket now Adam has transformed
himself into a cricket chatter today. He loves talking about cricket. Besides he
is a cricket philanthropist. The kits, bats and balls that he has donated to
various individuals over the years know no bound. He is also a voracious
collector of cricket materials and his shelf is lined up with cricket books and
cassettes.

Adam is also a member of ‘Limra Group’, a group of
cricket enthusiasts. The group had the misfortune of losing two of its prominent
members during the year. One was Amirali Adamji, an old veteran who despite
ailing legs always availed his presence at the ground while another was Akbar
Hakimjee, a jolly good fellow. Both died of sudden heart attack, in fact Amirali
while on his way to a Saturday afternoon cricket match.

Back to Adam who derives immense pleasure in
entertaining his ‘Limra Group’. A tea time at the cricket ground is a feast
for the group. They are regaled with ‘samosas’ and ‘kababs’, and tea is provided by Mohsin of the ‘Kayzars’
which is poured into the cups for one and all.
Mohsin is another guy who is generous and at times even throws lavish lunch for
the group. The elder brother, Abid Kayzar, has a tremendous ‘know how’ and
is also a great talker. On his arrival the conversation gains momentum and
the discussions deviate from one topic to another.

Else the group has commissioned Aziz Raja as its
exchequer to collect funds from one and sundry. He would then arrange menu for
lunch and tea placing order well ahead of the match.

The jester Mushtali Lukmanji with his witty remarks
exudes tremendous humour. None is spared from his sarcasm, the cricketers
included.

Last Sunday’s feast was provided by Adam at the
Burhani ground where ‘Burhani’ encountered ‘Eaglets’. Adam’s
acquaintances had gathered in large number and the lunch was awaited with anxiety.
The plates, bowls, glasses and spoons were brought and the tables were set. They
were garnished with delicacies, pickles and poppadum included.

The attendants were then treated to tasty halwa and
delicious chicken biryani while glasses of buttermilk flowed in abundance
quenching the thirst.

It was a delightful experience. Within no time the
sumptuous lunch had been absorbed. The gathering was then relished with with the
choicest of paan(beetle leaves).